Refrigerator cabinet structure, including receptacle and mounting therefor



June 2, 1953 c. G. ROBBINS REFRIGERATOR CABINET STRUCTURE, mcwnma RECEPTACLE AND MOUNTING THEREFOR 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed July 16, 1951 INVENTOR. G. 8088/8.

,6 JTTORA/EYJ June 1953 c. G.'ROBBINS 2,640,751

REFRIGERATOR CABINET STRUCTURE, INCLUDING RECEPTACLE AND MOUNTING THEREFOR Filed July 16, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 39 22 7 27 his 39 a 25 INVENTOR. (4R4 G. ROEBl/VS E ILE: 7 BY Patented June 2, 1.953

REFRIGERATOR CABINET STRUCTURE, IN-

CLUDING RECEPTACLE AND MOUNTING THEREFOR Carl G. Robbins, Des Plaines, Ill., assignor to Motor Products Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a

corporation of New York Application July 16, 1951, Serial No. 236,879

10 Claims.

This invention relates generally to a cabinet structure for refrigerators and refers more particularly to an improved hydrator or receptacle and mounting therefor.

It is an object of this invention to provide a refrigerator cabinet structure having spaced supports secured to a vertical wall of the cabinet structure in horizontal alignment and having an open topped receptacle extending between the supports. The opposite ends of the receptacle are respectively mounted on the supports for sliding movement relative to the supports in an upward direction to enable removing the receptacle from the supporting wall of the cabinet by merely lifting the receptacle off of the supports. The arrangement is such that the receptacle with its contents may be readily removed from the refrigerator cabinet and transferred to a working surface.

It is another object of this invention to provide a hinged closure for the opening in the top of the receptacle which permits access to the interior of the receptacle while the latter is supported on the cabinet structure.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a structure of the above general type wherein the supports and receptacle are attached to the inner panel of the door usually provided for closing an access opening in the front of the cabinet.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide the supports with top and inner walls which form, in effect, continuations of the top (cover) and inner walls of the receptacle when the latter is in its assembled position on the supports. The arrangement is such as to give the impression that the receptacle and associated supports form an integral part of the door structure, and thereby impart a pleasing appearance .to the structure.

The foregoing as well as other objects will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a semi-diagrammatic perspective view of a refrigerator cabinet showing the door in'its open position;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the hydrator or receptacle and supports therefor;

Figure 4. is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of the receptacle shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of apart of the receptacle;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of "the receptacle supports;

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 'l-l of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 3; V

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional View of a part of the receptacle and support therefor; and

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line Iii-i ll of Figure 9.

The refrigerator cabinet selected herein for the purpose of illustrating this invention is shown in Figure l as having a storage compartment l0 refrigerated by suitable apparatus including an evaporator Ii mounted in the compartment l0 adjacent the top of the latter. The remaining parts of the apparatus including the condenser, motor-compressor unit and associatedinstrumentalities for supplying refrigerant to the evaporator I form no part of the present invention, and hence are not shown herein.

The refrigerator cabinet has an access opening 2 at the front, and has a hinged door l3 for closing the opening I2. The door [3 comprises an outer panel M, an inner panel [5 spaced laterally from the outer panel, and insulating material l6 housed in the space between the panels. The outer panel M has inturned marginal portions l1 and terminal flanges I 8 extending inwardly from the marginal portions i l. g

The inner panel I5 is preferably formed of laminated plastic sheets having heat insulating characteristics; and the marginal edges thereof are suitably secured to the terminal flanges i8. A seal [9 of resilient material extends around the marginal edge of the door l3 at the inner side thereof in a position to engage the front wall 20 of the cabinet surrounding the access opening i2. As shown particularly in Figure 2 of the drawings, the inner panel I5 is bowed or dished toward the outer panel M to form a recess 2! in the inner side of the door I3 for accommodating shelves and the like.

In accordance with this invention a hydrator or receptacle 22 is mounted on the recessed inner panel iii of the door at a convenient elevation. The receptacle 22 is elongated in the direction of width of the door l3, and is preferablyformed-of a plastic material. In the present instance the receptacle 22 has an inner wall 23 an outer wall 24, a bottom wall 25, end walls 26 and a top wall 21. The top wall '2! is in the form of a hinged closure and may be produced from atransparent plastic-material, if desired.

The inner wall 23 of the receptacle 22 may be fashioned with relatively closely spaced horizontall y extending ribs 28-' to improve the appearance or the receptacle; and in: any case, is fashioned 3 with notches 29 at the top to permit exchange of air between the interior of the receptacle and the storage compartment ID of the refrigerator cabinet.

The outer Wall 24 of the receptacle is also notched at the top edge as indicated by the numeral 38 in Figure 5 to coact with the notches 29 in the inner wall 23 to assist in providing for the circulation of air through the receptacle 22. In this connection attention is also directed to Figure 7 of the drawings, wherein it will be noted that when the receptacle is assembled on the door I3, the outer wall 21 is spaced slightly from the inner panel of the door in order to facilitate circulation of air around the receptacle.

The bottom wall 25 of the receptacle 22 is fashioned with ribs 3!, which cooperate to reinforce the receptacle. As shown particularly in Figures 4 and 8 of the drawings, the opposite end walls 26 of the receptacle are of reduced width to provide vertical grooves 32 at opposite sides of the receptacle. It will also be noted that the top edges of the end walls 23 have laterally outwardly extending flanges 33. The purpose of the vertical grooves 32 and the function of the flanges L 33 will become more apparent as this description proceeds.

The top wall or closure 21 is pivoted at opposite ends and adjacent the outer edge to the receptacle 22 in a manner to permit swinging the same upwardly as indicated in Figure '7 of the drawings. In detail it will be noted that a pair of cars 34 extend upwardly from the flanges 33 adjacent the outer wall 24 of the receptacle. The ears 34 have openings 35 therethrough, and also have slots 36 which open into the openings 35 in the manner clearly shown in Figures 5 and 10 of the drawings. The top wall or closure :2? for the receptacle has integral pins 37 which project laterally outwardly from opposite ends of the closure adjacent the rear side of the latter. The pins 37 are generally rectangular in cross section and extend in a plane parallel to the plane of the closure 2?. The opposite sides of the pins are rounded in order to have a bearing engagement with the walls of the opening 33, and the width of the pins 31 is slightly less than the width of the slots 36. The arrangement is such that the closure 21 may be readily assembled on the receptacle by merely holding the closure in a vertical position with respect to the receptacle and moving the same downwardly relative to the receptacle in a manner such that the pins 31 pass through the slots 36 into the openings 35. Thus a relatively simple detachable hinge connection is provided between the closure 2! and the receptacle.

The receptacle 22 is removably mounted on the inner panel [5 of the door I3 by end supports designated generally in the drawings by the numeral 38. As shown particularly in Figures 6 and 8 of the drawings, each end support 33 is formed of plastic, and comprises an inner wall 39, a bottom wall 40, a top wall M and an end wall 42. The outer sides of the supports 38 are closed by adjacent portions of the inner door panel l5, and these portions form the outer walls of the supports 38.

The inner walls 39 of the supports 38 are flared in an outward direction from opposite ends of the receptacle 22 and have terminal flanges 43 which seat against the inner panel 15 of the door As clearly shown in Figures 1 and 8 of the drawings, the inner walls 39 of the supports 38 iorm,"in efiect; a continuation oftheinnerwall panel l5.

4 23 of the receptacle; and if desired, the outer surfaces of the walls 33 may be ribbed to match the ribbing 28 on the outer surface of the inner wall 23 of the receptacle 22. Thus a very neat and pieasing appearance is imparted to the receptacle 22 and associated supports 38.

The supports 33 are rigidly secured to the inner door panel I5 by fastener elements comprising pins 44, 45 and friction nuts 43. The pins Ml are formed integral with the inner wall 39 and extend outwardly through suitable openings formed in the inner door panel it. The friction nuts 46 are fastened to the outer ends of the pins 44 and securely clamp the supports against the inner door As shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, suitable reinforcing ribs 37 are provided between the pins M and the inner walls 39 of the sup ports 38. The pins 45 are respectively formed integral with the inner end walls 42 of the supports 38 and project outwardly through suitable openings in the inner door panel 15, as clearly shown in Figure 8 of the drawings. The triotion nuts 13.6 coact with the pins to assist the pins 46 and associated friction nuts in securing the supports 38 to the inner door panel It.

The supports 38 are secured to the inner door panel [5 in horizontal alignment, and are spaced from one another to receive the receptacle 22 therebetween. Refering again to Figure 8 of the drawings, it will be noted that the inner and outer edge portions of the walls 42 on the supports 38 have laterally inwardly extending flanges 38, and these flanges coact with the walls 42 to form vertically extending channels 33. As shown in Figure 6 of the drawings the upper ends of the flanges 48 terminate at horizontal shoulders 50 formed on the end walls 42 and spaced below the top walls 4| of the end supports 33 to provide clearance for the adjacent ends of the closure 21. The arrangement is such that the top walls H of the end supports 38 lie flush with the top wall of the closure 21 and form, in effect, a continuation of the latter. This arrangement also contributes materially to improving the appearance of the assembly.

Referring again to Figure 8 of the drawings, it will be noted that the channels 39 respectively telescopically receive opposite ends of the receptacle 22, and the flanges 43 on the supports 38 respectivel engage in the grooves 32 at opposite ends of the receptacle 22. The receptacle 22 is positioned and supported on the respective supports 38 by engagement of the flanges 33 at opposite ends of the receptacle with the adjacent shoulders 53 on the supports 38.

In order to assure a snug fit between opposite ends of the receptacle 22 and the respective end supports 38, the channel-shaped guides 33 on the supports and adjacent end portions or the receptacle are tapered inwardly in a downward direction, as shown in Figure 8. Also suitable cam surfaces 5! (Figure 6) are respectively formed on the rear flanges 48 of the channels 49 in positions to engage the rear bottom edge of the receptacle 22 and shift the latter forwardly as it is inserted between the supports 33. Thus, regardless of manufacturing inaccuracies the front walls of the receptacle 22 and end supports 38 lie flush with one another, and the appearance of the construction is improved. 4

It follows from the above that the receptacle 22 may be readily removed from the door l3 by merely sliding the same in an upward direction relative to the supports 38. This permits conveniently transporting the receptacle ZZas a unit to a work surface remote from the refrigerator, and such practice is oftentimes highly desirable in that it prevents repeated trips to the refrigerator. It will further be noted, however, that the contents of the receptacle are accessible without removing the receptacle from the refrigerator door by merely swinging the closure 27 upwardly to the broken line position thereof shown in Figure 7 of the drawings.

-What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a refrigerator cabinet having a vertically extending supporting wall, a pair of horizontally aligned supports secured to the refrigerator cabinet wall and having vertical end walls extending perpendicular to the cabinet wall, each support also having a top wall extending laterally outwardly from the top edge of the end Wall and having a side wall projecting laterally outwardly from the free vertical edge of the end wall, an open top receptacle extending between the end walls of the supports and removably mounted on said supports, said receptacle having end walls respectively positioned adjacent the end walls of the supports and having a side wall forming in effect a continuation of the side walls of said supports, a lid for the open top of the receptacle forming in effect a continuation of the top walls of the supports, slidably engageable vertically extending guiding means on the end walls of the receptacle and on the adjacent end walls of the supports permitting removal of the receptacle from the supports by lifting the receptacle relative to said supports, and cooperating engaging seating means on the supports and opposite ends of the receptacle for positioning the receptacle vertically relative to the supports. 1

2. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said guiding means comprises vertically extending laterally spaced guiding surfaces on opposite end walls of the receptacle and vertically extending guiding surfaces on the end walls of the supports respectively engageable with the guiding surfaces on the end walls of the receptacle.

3. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein the end walls of the receptacle and the adjacent end walls of the supports are tapered inwardly in a downward direction to wedge the receptacle in position between the supports.

4. The structure defined in claim 2 having cam means on certain of said guiding surfaces for shifting the receptacle in a direction toward the side Walls of the supports.

5. In a refrigerator cabinet having an access opening, a door for the access opening and having a liner, a pair of horizontally aligned supports secured to the door liner and having vertical end wells extending inwardly from the liner, each support also having a top wall extending laterally outwardly from the top edge of the end wall and having an inner wall extending laterally outwardly from the inner vertical edge of said end wall, an open top receptacle extending between the end walls of the supports and removably mounted on said supports, said receptacle having end walls positioned adjacent the end walls of the supports and having an inner wall, a lid for the open top of the receptacle, laterally spaced vertically extending guiding surfaces on each of the end walls of the receptacle and on each of the end walls of the supports respectively slidably engageable to permit removal of the receptacle from a position between the supports by lifting the receptacle relative to said supports, and seating means positioned on the end walls aforesaid for engagement to locate the receptacle vertically relative to the supports.

6. The structure defined in claim 5 wherein said guiding surfaces and seating means position said receptacle between the supports with the lid substantially flush with the top walls of the supports and with the inner wall of the receptacle forming in effect a continuation of the inner walls of the supports.

7. The structure defined in claim 5 wherein the opposite end walls of the receptacle are reduced in width to form the guiding surfaces at opposite ends of the receptacle and wherein the cooperating guiding surfaces on the end walls of the supports comprise flanges projectin from the vertical edges of the end walls of the supports into sliding engagement with the vertical edges of the adjacent end walls of said receptacle.

8. The structure defined in claim 5 wherein the end walls of the supports and receptacle are tapered in directions toward one another from the top of said end walls to the bottom of the latter.

9. The structure defined in claim 5 having cam means on the outermost cam surfaces for urging the receptacle in an inward direction into snug engagement with the innermost guiding surfaces on the supports.

10. The structure defined in claim 5 wherein the vertical guidin surfaces on the end walls of the supports terminate short of the top walls of the supports, and wherein the seating means comprises a seat extending between the vertical guiding surfaces on the supports below the top walls of the latter and a flange projecting laterally outwardly from the top edge of each end wall of the receptacle in a position to overlie the seat on the adjacent support.

CARL G. ROBBINS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,081,378 Freeman Dec. 16, 1913 2,353,364 Sanford July 11, 1944 2,427,335 Antonia Sept. 16, 1947 2,434,117 Money Jan. 6, 1948 2,506,602 Laystrom May 9, 1950 2,528,807 Whitney Nov. 7, 1950 2,576,691 Money Nov. 27, 1951 

